Hey, I've been staring at your Katana 'ible for a while, saw the new pics just now, looking great! I plan on making a katana (by stock removal, not forging) and I'd be glad to see anything else you are going to add :D

Sounds great man! I just got some new pics of my newest katana. http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs191.ash2/45448_151931508165713_100000465955812_440709_1091436_n.jpg ......................... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs411.snc4/47459_151931504832380_100000465955812_440708_3160813_n.jpg ...................................... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs431.snc4/47459_151931501499047_100000465955812_440707_2264237_n.jpg If you need any help at all just shout out.

my pommel was made from a radiator leg then I sawed some excess metal off and then filed it smooth. added some ridges to it so the laces would stay centered over it. drilled 2 holes in the bottom 1/4 an inch deep to align with 2 nails sticking out of the bottom of the handle. ( holds it very steady) then when I was ready to lace it on I hot glued it on for stability while lacing.

I tried to do that but it took so long to just drill through once... and I don't have a juelers saw. so for me it was pretty much impossible lots of katanas go over the pommel as well as through the pommel. the art of tsuka wrapping shows how to wrap the pommel on in several different ways.